The relationship between central corneal thickness and degree of myopia among Saudi adults

Purpose To determine the relationship between central corneal thickness (CCT) and myopia among Saudi adults. Methods In a prospective study, the CCT of 982 myopic eyes and 158 emmetropic eyes as a control group was measured using ultrasound pachymetry at the Eye Consultants Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Result The mean myopic spherical equivalent (SE) was −3.7 ± 2.12 D, range −0.25 to −15.0 D.The mean CCT of the myopic group was 543.8 ± 35.40 μm, while for the emmetropic group it was 545.7 ± 27.6 μm. The difference in mean CCT between the two groups was statistically insignificant (P = 0.5). There was no correlation between CCT and the degree of myopic spherical equivalent (r = −0.014, P = 0.939). Conclusion This clinical study showed that there was no difference in CCT between emmetropic and myopic eyes. CCT did not correlate with the degree of myopia. It seems that the central cornea is not significantly involved in the process of myopic progression.     

Effect of tonsillectomy on recurrent sore throats in adults: patients' perspectives

The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of tonsillectomy on the incidence of sore throats and its co-morbidity in adult patients. One hundred and nineteen adult patients were sent a standard questionnaire regarding their symptoms in the 12 months preceding and following their tonsillectomy. Outcome measures included the incidence of sore throats, total number of days with sore throat, amount of time taken off work or school, and number of visits to the general practitioner (GP). In addition, patients were asked to indicate the duration of their symptoms and whether or not they found the tonsillectomy effective in curing their sore throats. Sixty-six patients (55.5 per cent) returned completed questionnaires. The age of the patients ranged from 16 to 39 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 8.3 years. On average, patients had 8.1 different sore throat episodes, 42 sore throat days, 21.4 days of sore throat related absence from work or school, and 5.9 visits to the GP in the 12 months before their operation. For the 12 months after surgery, these reduced to 0.9 episodes, four days, 2.2 days and 0.6 visits, respectively. This reduction was very significant (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). After their surgery, more than half the patients achieved complete resolution of all the measured parameters mentioned above. Most of the remaining patients achieved at least 50 per cent resolution. Only three patients (4.8 per cent) achieved less than 50 per cent resolution. Ninety-five per cent of the patients found the operation effective in curing their sore throats and were glad they had had surgery. In conclusion, retrospective questionnaire data must be interpreted with some caution, but this study suggests that tonsillectomy is effective in reducing the incidence, duration and co-morbidity of recurrent sore throats in adults; this must be balanced against the post-operative problems in a minority of patients.     

Smartphone Screen Time Among University Students in Lebanon and Its Association With Insomnia,Bedtime Procrastination,and Body Mass Index During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the association of increased smartphone screen time with insomnia, bedtime procrastination, depression, anxiety, body mass index (BMI), and physical activity during the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. MethodsAn online survey was performed for university students from all regions of Lebanon during the lockdown. The survey included questionnaires about smartphone screen time, diet, physical activity, psychological symptoms, and bedtime procrastination. We defined 6 hours of smartphone use as critical based on a survey done in United States. ResultsAmong female students, smartphone use duration, physical activity levels, BMI, depression, anxiety, and insomnia severity were significantly higher than in male. When we stratified participants based on 6 hours of smartphone use, females, unhealthy food consumption, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and bedtime procrastination were significantly higher in the group with ≥6 hours of smartphone use. When we divided based on 7 hours, physical activity and body weight also differed between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that female, overweight, insomnia, and bedtime procrastination were significant predictors of a phone screen time of 7 hours. ConclusionOur findings suggest that adults should be more cautious and responsible when using smartphones and be more concerned about the health-related risks.     

Neuronal markers in allergic rhinitis: expression and correlation with sensory testing

INTRODUCTION: Although the role of immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity reactions in allergic rhinitis is well known, the relative contribution of sensory nerves to the symptoms of rhinitis is uncertain. This study looked at the level of specific neuronal markers including the nerve marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), sensory and autonomic neuropeptides, the capsaicin/heat receptor TRPV1, and nerve growth factor (NGF) in patients with allergic rhinitis and controls and their correlation with nasal sensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients (23 controls, 17 rhinitis) having nasal surgery were recruited. Nasal sensitivity was tested using graded monofilaments. Inferior turbinate biopsies were collected and studied using immunohistology, with measurement of nerve fibers by direct observation or computerized image analysis. RESULTS: Nerve fibers (PGP 9.5) in the epithelium, subepithelium, and glandular/vascular regions were significantly increased in allergic rhinitis (P=.037, <.01, and .04, respectively), as were subepithelial and glandular/vascular fibers immunoreactive for neuropeptide substance P (P=.04 subepithelium; .02 glandular/vascular) and neuropeptide tyrosine (P<.01 glandular/vascular), markers for sensory and sympathetic nerves, respectively. TRPV1 epithelial fiber counts were higher in rhinitis, but this was not statistically significant. Epithelial NGF immunoreactivity (% area) was significantly increased in rhinitis (P=.027). Nasal sensitivity was correlated significantly with PGP 9.5 subepithelial innervation (control touch P=.023, irritation P=.046; rhinitis touch P=.042, irritation P=.043). A correlation was also observed between epithelial NGF and subepithelial PGP 9.5 innervation, which included all subjects (P=.044). CONCLUSION: The increased number and specific phenotypical changes of sensory nerves may play a role in nasal hypersensitivity and provide new targets for the treatment of rhinitis.     

Factors affecting the surgical outcome of primary exotropia

AIMS: To identify the predictors for motor outcome and response to surgical treatment of primary exotropia. SETTING: Taunton and Somerset Hospital, Somerset, United Kingdom. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective analysis of the surgical treatment of primary exotropia performed in our department over a period of 12 years from April 1991 to May 2003. METHODS: Case-notes of the patients who had surgical treatment for primary exotropia for the specified period were identified by a hospital computer database (MDI coding). All case-notes were reviewed and the following data were recorded and used for statistical analysis: age at the time of surgery, type and severity of exotropia, presence of amblyopia, AV pattern and vertical deviation, the level of stereopsis, type of surgery, and motor and cosmetic results. The surgical outcome was determined as good motor outcome if tropia was within 10 PD of orthotropia. The response to surgery was derived from the difference between the preoperative and postoperative angle of deviation for distance per amount of muscle surgery in millimetres. RESULTS: A total of 124 cases were included in the study. Good motor outcome was achieved in 83 (67%) cases. There was a positive correlation between the preoperative angle of deviation at distance and dose response to surgery (r = 0.6 and p < 0.001) and a negative correlation between average corrected visual acuity and response (r = -0.21 and p = 0.025). There was a statistically significant negative relationship between preoperative stereopsis and response to surgery (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for exotropia is effective and the dose response is correlated to the preoperative angle of deviation and average visual acuity. Poor or no preoperative stereopsis was associated with better response to surgery.     

白血病患者心脏损害的研究

目的：探讨白血病患者心脏损害早期的客观依据。方法：对40例白血病患者、27例贫血患者和24例正常人做心电学、心脏形态、功能及酶学检测。结果：VCG检测显示白血病横面QRS环最大向量振幅、额面及横面R／T均高于正常对照组;与正常对照组比较,白血病组额面ST方位向右上移位、T环最大向量方位向左移位。UCG检测显示处于贫血状态的初治白血病组与正常对照组比较,LVEF、LVFS无显著差异,但白血病组的A和A／E高于正常对照组、EF斜率低于正常对照组。结论：仅以ECG和胸片作为白血病患者心脏状况的监测手段有很大的局限性。白血病患者心脏损害早期在VCG及UCG上表现为左室舒张功能不全,推测可能与白血病细胞对心脏的侵润及白血病微循环障碍等原因有关。     

上海市某戒毒所强戒人员干眼情况调查 △

目的 了解戒毒人员干眼症流行病学特点,探讨毒品对干眼的影响,为戒毒人员眼部疾病的防治提供一定的依据。方法 对2017年1~9月在上海市杨浦区某戒毒所强戒人员964人行干眼问卷调查及相关眼部检查。结果 共有596人完成了问卷调查和相关眼科检查,干眼患病率为41.44%(247/596)。干眼症随年龄升高呈上升趋势,20~30岁组、>30~50岁组、>50岁组患病率分别为17.35%(17/98)、39.30%(147/374)及66.94%(83/124),3组间差异具有统计学意义(χ ²=57.36,P<0.01)。吸毒时间越长,干眼患病率越高,毒龄≤1年、>1~2年、>2年~5年及>5年的强戒人员干眼患病率分别为18.33%(11/60)、29.67%(27/91)、42.76%(62/145)及53.00%(159/300),4组间差异具有统计学意义(χ ²=33.60,P<0.01)。戒毒时间越长,干眼患病率越低,戒毒时间16个月、>6个月~1年及>1~2年的强戒人员干眼患病率分别为54.87%(62/113)、48.46%(63/130)、25.78%(91/353),3组间差异具有统计学意义(χ ²=42.09,P<0.01)。主诉前3位的为异物感、疲劳感和干燥感(33.72%、26.34%、20.97%)。 结论 强戒人员干眼患病率高于普通人群,应提高对干眼的认识,并对毒品造成的眼部伤害进行针对性的健康指导,从而预防和减少干眼症的发生。     

HPLC法同时测定足菌清中水杨酸等4种成分的含量

用反相高效液相色谱法同时分离测定足菌清中水杨酸、苯甲酸、间苯二酚及呋喃西林的含量。水杨酸、苯甲酸、间苯二酚的线性为 0 15～ 0 75 g/L,r值分别为 0 9998、0 9999、0 9997;呋喃西林的线性为 0 0 0 72～ 0 0 36 g/L,r =1 0 0 0 ;平均回收率 (X±RSD) %分别为 ,水杨酸 (99 9±2 4) % ,苯甲酸 (10 0 1± 1 9) % ;间苯二酚 (99 7± 2 8) % ;呋喃西林 (10 0 9± 3 0 ) %。